
Qass ^M UT 
Book (^ 



f 



S W I M xM I N G . 



BY 



OMA'X.C - -^ 2> 



MARTIN COBBETT. 



WITH SIXTY ILLUSTRATIONS. 




NEW YORK: 
FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY. 

MDCCCXC. 



'.<'^' 



v^^ 



t^: 



^^' 






By Transfep 

AUG SO 1911 



CONTENTS 



OK AFTER VASK 

I, Introductory ... ,., ,., ... ... i 

11. Time and Place .,, .,. .,. .„ 2 

III. Floating ... ... ... „, .,. 4 

IV. Parlour Practice ,., ,.. .,. ... 8 
V. Artificl^l Aids .,. ... ... ... 12 

VI. The Kick ... ... ., ... ... 17 

VII. The Arm Action ... ... ... ... 21 

VIII. The Breast Stroke ... ... ... 23 

IX. The Side Stroke ... ... ... ... 27 

X. The Racing Stroke ... ... ... 32 

XI. Swimming on the Back ... ... ... 34. 

XII. Hand-over-hand Swimming ... ... 37 

XIII. Tricks ... ... ... ... ... ... 38 

XIV, Plunging and Diving ... ... ... 43 

XV. Bath Swimming ... ... ... ... 51 

XVI. Cautions ... ... ... ... ... 57 

XVII. Sea-bathing ,.. ... ... ... ... 58 

Appendix, Royal Humane Society's Directions 62 



\ 



SWIMMING 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

Almost every animal except man can swim naturally on 
finding itself in the water for the first time, and for these 
reasons : its position is nearly, if not quite the same as on 
terra jirma ; the action of the limbs is almost identical with 
that employed in walking, while its barrel-like body, large 
in proportion to its head and legs, serves as a buoy to keep 
it afloat. The physical structure of man, the lord of creation, 
is not so favourably adapted for his making his way through 
the water, his head being much heavier in proportion to 
its size, than his trunk, while he has to make an entirely 
new departure, in abandoning his customary erect position, 
and has to adopt movements of the limbs to which he has 
previously been unaccustomed. Still, the specific gravity of 
the human body (particularly when the cavity of the chest 
is filled with air) is lighter than that of water, in proportion 
to the obesity of the individual, stout people being able to 
float more easily than those of spare habit. 

Instances are on record in which some specially favoured 
individuals, heaven-born water-dogs, have developed sur- 

B 



SWIMMING. 



prising natatory talent at the first time of asking ; but these 
brilUant exceptions are too few and far between to point 
the moral that swimming comes naturally to man, for if some 
little pains and trouble were not requisite to master this most 
useful of accomplishments we should read or speak no longer 
of the art of swimming. In acquiring this art — and it is not 
difficult of attainment — the disciple must learn to look upon 
his body as a boat, for the propulsion of which nature has 
given him a double pair of sculls, viz., his arms and legs, on 
the proper use of which his progress through the water 
depends. Too much attention cannot at the outset be 
devoted to the acquirement of a good style, a bad habit 
being afterwards difficult to correct. Style and pace, as a 
rule, go hand in hand, and the contrast between the graceful 
yet powerful sweep of the practised oarsman with the clumsy 
splashings of the neophyte is not more striking than that 
between the respective modes of progression of a good and 
an indifferent swimmer. 



CHAPTER II. 

TIME AND PLACE. 

Before endeavouring to put our readers " in the swim," a 
few words may be permitted as to the choice of time and 
place for bathing. 

In the good old days, the bather, on waking from his 
slumbers, used to partially dress himself, and, carrying the 
minor accessories of his toilet in his towel, straightway 
betake himself to the beach or river's brink at a very early 
hour in the morning. Some constitutions can stand this 
sort of thing, nay, may be even benefited thereby ; but, on 
the other hand, and particularly in the case of growing boys, 



TIME AND PLACE. 



this bathing before breakfast has anything but the invigo- 
rating effect it is expected to produce. It leaves behind 
instead a feeUng of lassitude and weariness, which lasts 
generally until midday and perhaps all day. 

Unquestionably, the best time to enjoy a swim is between 
the hours of ten and two o'clock, some hour and a half after 
breakfast, or half-way between that meal and dinner, when 
the sun's power is at its height. Opportunity, however, does 
not always serve, as the demands of " the mill, Mr. Jonas, 
the mill" are imperative, and to those whose time is 
occupied at this period of the day I would recommend the 
evening in preference to the early morn, a bathe before 
supper sending one home with a healthy appetite and a 
soothed nervous system, which predisposes to a sound night's 
rest. Remember, never to attempt to enter the water directly 
after eating a hearty meal, but there is no harm in bathing 
after eating a crust or biscuit ; and should the system be 
fatigued by previous exertion or want of proper rest, forego 
your outdoor bath in favour of a hot " tub " indoors. I 
have seen bathers arrive in what is vulgarly known as a 
muck-sweat, peel off their clothes, and calmly wait to get 
cool before entering the water. A greater mistake cannot 
be made, as a thorough chill is the infalHble result, chatter- 
ing teeth and shaking fingers attesting this fact during the 
process of dressing. I have never found the slightest 
inconvenience from plunging in "hissing hot;" in fact, 
the body seems to retain its caloric for a longer period, 
owing to the accelerated action of the heart, and a com- 
fortable glow then succeeds the process of drying. 

The sea offers advantages to the learner which he can 
obtain nowhere else, as, in addition to its being of higher 
temperature than fresh water during the summer months, its 
gradually shelving sands afford him a smooth, firm footing, 



SWIMMING. 



free from the objectionable debris which somehow works 
its way into the river's bed. In pond, river, or canal, assure 
yourself as to the depth, and beware of holes, weeds, and 
swift current, while, if possible, the bottom should be gravel. 
What says the poet ? — 

" Cheered by a milder beam, the sprightly youth 
Speeds to some well known pool, whose crystal depth 
A sandy bottom shews." 

Years ago the big inland towns could boast of but few 
advantages in the shape of baths, but of late "we have 
changed all that," and in London particularly Alumnus can 
take his choice of a dozen or more well-appointed establish- 
ments, within easy access, where competent professors may 
be found to put him through his facings. 

It is, however, with the view of making " every man his 
own instructor" that the following hints are oifered, so 
now for the first lesson. 



CHAPTER III. 

FLOATING. 

As you cannot yet plunge in secundum artem, remember 
to immerse the whole body (head and all) as quickly as 
possible, or duck, or throw the water over you with your 
hands. The sensation produced by a slow "wade" from 
the shore until the gradually deepening water reaches your 
chest will make you gasp again, so either " flop " in feet 
first, or rush in and fall down when you arrive " knee deep." 
The first thing requisite is confidence. You have been 
told that your body will float, but you want to be sure of 
that fact for yourself. Two bathers in company can learn 
to swim more quickly, as one assists and gives confidence to 



FLOATING. 



the other; but if your friend is already a swimmer, so much 
the better for you. 

Having got used to the feel of it, you can satisfy yourself 
as to the sustaining power of the water as follows : — 

With your back to the shore and the water almost up to 
the armpits, bend your knees till the water nearly reaches 
the chin (Fig. i). Then gradually throw your head back 
as far as it will go, until the base of the skull is 
immersed and the water covers your ears. Now 




steal your arms backwards behind your head, at their fullest 
extent, the palms uppermost and slightly hollowed. Take a 
full breath, and swelHng out the chest, give a little push off 
the bottom with both feet (Fig. 2). Keep your mouth shut, 
as, perhaps, for an instant 07ily^ the water will ripple on your 
face as the head takes its position, and then you will find 
your legs, which must now be stiffened and separated 



SWIMMING. 



slightly, gradually rising until the tips of your fingers, toes, 
and knees, and your chest and face will be clear of the 
water (Fig. 3). The head must be thrown well back, as this 




Fig. 3. 

elevates the mouth and chin, while your body and limbs, 
lazily balancing in the water (Fig. 4), should form the figure 




Fig, 4 (seen from above). 

of St. Andrew's Cross. If a friend will place a light sup- 
porting hand under the small of your back as you try this 
experiment, removing it when you have settled into position, 
you will find your confidence increased. 

Boys, from the lightness of their bones, and individuals 
who have acquired plenty of adipose tissue, have little 
difficulty in "lying dead man." I have known, however, 



FLOATING. 



many young athletes, all muscle and sinew, who couldn't 
for the life of them accomplish this simple feat ; and it's a 
very common thing to hear a good swimmer say, " I can't 
float ; my legs will sink ! " 

Another capital dodge is that recommended by Dr. 
Franklin, in which the buoyant power of water is still 
more strikingly exemplified. Procure an ^gg or lump of 
chalk of an easily handled shape, and, when the water 
is up to your chest, face the shore, and let the tgg drop 
in front of you. Now take breath, shut your mouth, but 
not your eyes, which you can open and shut as easily in 
the water as out, duck under, and try to pick up the ^g%. 
You will find that while your legs rise from the bottom you 
will have to struggle with your arms to get down far enough 
to reach the '' egg," owing to the great resistance offered by 
the water, and two or three attempts may be necessary to 
accomplish your object. You can come up at any moment 
by depressing the feet, and, as you face the shore, your 
struggles are working you into shallower water, so that the 
experiment is a safe one enough. 

You have now gained confidence, which is half the battle, 
and the next thing to be done is to try to move on the 
surface of that element which you have proved capable of 
sustaining you when motionless. 

It is certainly easier to float when the body is moving 
through the water than when it is stationary, on much the 
same principle which sustains the oyster-shell that skips 
along the surface of the sea, until, the impetus given it by 
the thrower being exhausted, it sinks to the bottom. In 
like manner the pace acquired in swimming helps to sustain 
the body. 



SWIMMING. 



CHAPTER IV. 



PARLOUR PRACTICE. 

Military men will tell you that it takes years to produce a 
perfect soldier, the recruit having to be licked into shape in 
a probationary period of goose-step and manual drill before 
learning how to handle a rifle. A good swimmer can be 
turned out in much less time; but he, too, will progress 
towards perfection much more rapidly according to his 
grounding in the arm and leg drill of the art. As in the 
winter few baths are open, while the coldness of open water 
puts a stopper on outdoor bathing, the neophyte may then 
benefit by a few exercises or practices. Such a knowledge 
of the strokes as can be obtained by what may 
be termed " parlour practice," will smooth the 
way for their performance in the water, besides 
accustoming the muscles to the special actions 
they will be called upon to perform. This 
knowledge, too, may be obtained with little 
trouble and no outlay, as the beginner can take 
a spell at swimming drill before dressing in the 
morning or retiring for the night. He cannot 
have healthier exercise before or after the 
matutinal tub. In mastering the breast stroke 
you acquire the open sesame to the situation. 
We will call the first movements "the arm 
stroke in the air." Stand square to the front, 
facing a looking-glass, if possible, hands at the 
sides, and heels touching (Fig. 5). 

I. Join the hands, palms inwards, fingers 
and thumbs together, and raise both fore arms until the 




Fig. 5. 



PARLOUR PRACTICE. 



elbows press against the bottom ribs, while the finger tips, 
meeting in a supplica- 
ting attitude, are on a 
level with the collar- 
bone (Fig. 6). fg:::;;;:::.".";;:- 

2. Shoot the arms '. 
forward to their fullest \ 
extent in line with the ^,^ 
shoulders, so that they 
form a right angle with 
the body, the palms 
of the hands and 
balls of the thumbs 
being always pressed 
together, and the 
fingers kept closed 
(Fig. 7). 





Fig. 6. 

3. By a twist of the 
wrist, turn the thumbs 
down until the backs 
of the hands incline 
inwards at an angle of 
forty-five degrees, the 
little finger edge 
uppermost, keeping 
the hands slightly 
hollowed, fingers and 
thumbs compressed ; 
the execution of this 
movement will sepa- 
rate the hands (Fig. 8). 

4. Sweep the arms 
back in line with the 




Fig. 8. 



lO 



SWIMMING. 



shoulder, elbows stiff, hands at the same angle, fingers 
together until they are brought opposite the points of the 
shoulders (Fig. 6), Then relaxing the muscles of the arms, 
bend the elbows, drawing the hands downwards and inwards, 
and in a semi-circle towards the body. As the elbows come 
back to their original position against the bottom ribs, turn 
the palms of the hands towards the sides, and steal them 
forward until the finger tips meet in their original position, 
ready for another stroke (Fig. 6). Your reflection in the 
glass will enable you to correct any tendency to elevate or 
depress the arms from a right line in making these move- 
ments. When you can perform them correctly, combine 
the motions (dispensing of course with Fig. 5) in one con- 
tinuous action, the hands turning outwards as the arms are 
swept back, while the action of bringing the elbows to the 
sides will turn them naturally palms 
inwards, into position again. 

Leg action on terra firma (as repre- 
sented by the flooring) is not so easy to 
imitate successfully, as, in addition to 
having to sustain the weight of the body, 
the feet have to overcome the resistance 
offered by the carpet. 

Take up position as before, except 
that the hands must be placed on the 
hips (Fig. 9). 

I. Open the knees, which must be 
turned out to their fullest extent, and 
sink down as far as possible, raising the 
heels, which must be kept as closely as 
possible together. A little practice will 
enable you to preserve your balance, as 
you adopt the position shown in the accompanying figure 




Fig. 9. 



PARLOUR PRACTICE. 



(Fig. lo), which comes as near as possible to the attitude 
assumed by the legs when drawn up for the kick in the 
water. 

2. Spring up from the ball of the foot, and as the body 




Fig. lo. 




Fig. II. 



assumes the erect position, straighten the knees at the same 
time with a slight spring, planting the feet right and left as far 
apart as possible (Fig. 1 1). The impetus given in the water 
would be sufficient to bring the legs together as you pro- 
gressed through it, but on dry ground it will need a slight 
spring off the toes to close them again as in the first position 

(Fig. 9). 

Having mastered these movements, you must now go in 
for combining the arm and leg actions, thus : (i) Shoot out 
the arms as in Fig. 7, and, keeping the body rigid, sweep 
them backwards (Fig. 6). (2) As the elbows approach the 
sides, open the knees, keeping the body erect, and while 
sinking down let the hands steal into position under the 



12 



SWIMMING. 



chin. (3) Keeping the elbows bent, straighten and separate 
the legs (Fig. 12), and then as you bring the feet together, 

shoot out the arms to the 




Fig. 12. 



front, palms touching, which 
will bring you again into the 
position of Fig. 7. 

When you are proficient 
in these combined move- 
ments, try them with a pair 
of light dumb-bells, some 
twenty times at a stretch, 
counting steadily, "one, 
two," etc., to yourself, as 
you work, and keeping 
sedulously to the directions, 
so as not to slur or get the 
various actions out of turn. 



CHAPTER V. 



ARTIFICIAL AIDS. 



In the course of a long experience, I have never known 
any ultimate benefit to accrue from the use of supports in 
the shape of cork belts or bladders. All very well in their 
way in a bath, they are positively dangerous in open water, 
as a learner can insensibly float out of his depth; while, 
when employing them, he is content to Iclrk about and 
learns little or nothing, and the little he does know be- 
comes of no use to him when the ''floats" are discarded. 
By far the best way to support the body while acquiring 
the proper action, which, though rather awkward at first, 
will soon come quite naturally to you, is to procure a 



ARTIFICIAL AIDS. 13 

girdle of webbing at any saddler's shop, some five or six 
inches wide, which should, by strap and buckle, be fastened 
round the chest and kept well up under the armpits by two 
bands over the shoulders. Attached to this belt is a cord 
which runs through an eye at right angles to the top of a 
pole some six feet long, the butt end of which, together 
with the slack of the cord, is held by a. friend stationed on 
the bank or in a boat, who is thus enabled to ''play" the 
swimmer so as to keep his body on the surface of the water. 
As the learner improves, his mentor can insensibly relax the 
strain on the cord, until the pupil finds to his joy that he has 
actually been keeping himself afloat by his own exertions, and, 
almost before he is aware of the fact, has begun to swim. 

It is to be presumed that your coach is qualified for his 
office; but should he be only competent to the task of 
keeping you afloat, your previous "parlour practice" will 
render you almost independent of all but the support 
afforded by the rod. 

The body's position in the water, though necessarily 
horizontal, will make no difference to the action of the 
arms as far as concerns their relative positions to the 
shoulders, and the legs will follow as before in the plane of 
the trunk, as it rests in the water. 

My readers who have already taken the trouble to acquire 
the stroke, and understand the positions of the hands, 
arms, and legs, must excuse amplification in these directions, 
in fact, may skip what follows regarding it. The trunk 
should be nicely hollowed, and the head thrown back until 
the chin rests on the water. Keeping the legs together, 
knees and ankles touching, and toes pointing towards the 
rear, join the palms of the hands, the fingers of each being 
pressed together, and the inside of the thumbs resting 
against the outer edge of the first joint of the forefingers. 



14 



SWIMMING, 



1. Extend both arms to the front to their fullest extent, 
keeping them on a level with the shoulders, and not allow- 
ing any part of the hand or arm to show above the surface 
(Fig. 13). _ 

2. Slightly hollowing the palms, turn the wrists inwards 
until the knuckles at the root of each forefinger touch, which 
will bring the backs of the hands into the proper position. 




at an angle of forty-five degrees, the thumbs being" hidden 
from sight. 

3. Keeping the arms extended, sweep them slowly out- 
wards and backwards until each hand is opposite the points 




Fig. 14. 

of the shoulder at a right angle to the body, the stroke being 
made at the same even depth under water (Fig. 14). 

4. Do not separate the fingers, but pressing the hands 
inwards and slightly downwards, bend and draw in the 
elbows, a movement which will naturally turn the palms of 



ARTIFICIAL AIDS. 



15 



the hands inwards as they circle towards the breasts, and as 
the elbows touch the sides let the tips of the fingers, pointed 
forwards, come together under the chin, thus completing 
the arm stroke (Fig. 15). 

Remember not to separate the fingers, but keep them 
well together, while the hand should be scoop-like. Each 




Fig. 15. 

movement should be made slowly, reaching as far as pos- 
sible so as to embrace the greatest area of water, while the 
legs must be kept stiff and motionless. After a little practice 
you will find yourself almost imperceptibly travelHng 
forwards, and may attempt to bring the legs into play. 
I. Shooting out the hands, as in Fig. 13, bend both knees 




and draw them well under the body, keeping the heels close 
together, with the toes turned outwards and upwards. 



i6 SWIMMING. 



2. Keeping the feet turned outwards, open the legs as 
wide as possible with a vigorous kick, which will straighten 
both knees, the legs sweeping backwards like a pair of com- 
passes as widely separated as possible (Fig. i6). 

Your kick is half completed ; now without pause continue 
the backward sweep of the legs, until they come together at 
their full length, toes to the rear (Fig. 13). 

3. As the ankles touch turn the hands outwards and strike 
backwards with the arms, until they are at a right angle to 
the body (Fig. 14), and as you bring the elbows to the sides 
draw up the legs again as in the dotted line, and, while gliding 
the hands to the front under the chin, give the leg stroke 
(Fig. 17), shooting out the hands to the front again as the 




legs touching complete their semicircle. This will leave 
you ready for a fresh arm stroke as shown in Fig. 13. 

You are now, as the drill-sergeant says, " as you were," and 
after a few steady attempts to work the arms and legs 
harmoniously against each other, their strokes being alternate^ 
will find that your pilot has had to break ground to the 
front, a proof that you are getting on. 



( 17 ) 
CHAPTER VI. 

THE KICK. 

While the arms and legs alike do their share in the propul- 
sion of the body, the legs perform by far the most important 
work, and the importance of a good *' kick " cannot be too 
strongly urged. Though the action of the soles of the feet 
upon the water helps the " drive," the momentum is also 
given by the '"wedge" of water embraced and driven back- 
wards by the action of the backs of the thighs and calves, 
as they almost come together at the completion of the 
leg stroke. Hence, the wider the stretch the more 
powerful the '^ drive," and the beginner should try to rival 
as closely as possible that acrobatic performance known as 
" the splits " when trying to master the kick. The action 
of arms and legs is alternate ; that is to say, when the legs 
are making their sweep, the arms are thrown forward to their 
fullest extent, thus helping to sustain the upper part of the 
trunk, and serving as a prow or cutwater ; then, during the 
first part of the arm stroke, the legs, almost touching after 
finishing their work, remain stiff and extended, so as to 
offer as little resistance as possible. These positions are 
but momentary, but their rigid observance is necessary to 
ensure pace with the least expenditure of force. 

As every one is not fortunate enough to command assist- 
ance, I will, at the risk of going over some beaten ground, 
hark back, and throw out a few hints for the benefit of the 
neophyte who has to shift for himself 

Running round the sides of the bath, a little above the 
level of the surface of the water, you will generally find a 
cord secured through rings, or a rod to which you can hold 

C 



i8 



SWIMMING. 



-WS 



on ; but if you are making your unassisted initiatory essay 
in the open fresh or salt, you must either grasp the bank 
or commence in sufficient depth 
of water for the palms of your 
hands to press against the 
bottom when the arms are ex- 
tended downwards. 

Suppose, for the sake of argu- 
ment, that you are commencing 
operations in a bath. Standing 
with heels nearly touching, grasp 
the rope in both hands, which 
should be opposite the points 
of the shoulders, knuckles up- 
wards, and slightly bend the 
elbows. The arms must now 
be kept stiff. Hollow your back, -and, raising the feet from 




Fig. 1 8 (from above). 




Fig. 19 (from above). ; 

the ground, bend both knees, and draw them well under the 



THE KICK. 



19 



body (Fig. 18). This and the following diagrams give the 
positions as seen from above. 

This action, you will find, will cause you to pull on your 
hands, the forward motion of the knees sending the body 
backwards. 

Now, with a smart kick, open the legs to the highest and 
widest extent, at the same time depressing the heels, con- 
tracting the toes upwards, and turning both feet at a right 
angle, spread-eagle fashion (Fig. 19). Describing as com- 
plete a semi-circle as possible with each leg, you will find 
the toes gradually drop as the feet reach their furthest point 
of separation (Fig. 20), and as, continuing the backward 




*^--«, Fig. 20 -'-'* 

(from above). 

circular motion, the stiffly extended legs almost touch at the 

completion of the stroke in a riglijfe line with the body, the 



SWIMMING. 



toes should point to the rear (Fig. 21). Don't hump up 

your back, as you will find a strong 
inclination to do, and remember 
that you want to drive the body 
forward., and not out of the water. 
Drop your feet on the bottom, and 
repeat their action quietly, with- 
out haste, until you find that in 
making the stroke you have to 
push against the rope, bank, or 
bottom, with the hands, to resist 
the impetus— a sign that the legs 
are beginning to do their work in 
a proper way. 

An idea of the combined move- 
ment of the legs as seen from 
above may be gleaned from the 
appended diagram (Fig. 22). 

Above all things, don't hurry ; 
remember that Rome wasn't built 
in a day. When you find that the 
action is actually sending 
you forwards, try to blend 
motions one, two, and three, 
rendering the action con- 
tinuous by making no halt 
between the drawing up of 
the knees and the perfect 
kick. 

There is a trick about 
the latter which will come 
with practice, and I will try 
to explain it by a familiar simile. Everybody knows the 




Fig. 21 (from above). 




Fig. 22. 



THE ARM ACTION, 21 

difference between a " bowl " and a throw ; in the first the 
arm being kept rigid, while in the second a certain twist of 
forearm and wrist gives extra impetus to the delivery. So 
in swimming, you will, with practice, acquire a somewhat 
similar action of the knee in straightening the leg, which 
will give an extra flip to the stroke if you, so to speak, 
commence it before the knees have actually reached their 
highest point. As the legs are drawn up, accelerate their 
action, and straighten them out with a jerk, their rapid 
bending being, in fact, the commencement of the stroke, 
while their equally rapid straightening again will ensure 
the proper drive with which they should come together 
again. 

The movement of the hands is a much simpler affair ; but 
here you must recollect, as in sculling, that directly the 
arms, in their sweep, get behind the rowlock^ i.e. the point 
of the shoulder, their propelling power is nearly exhausted. 
The Angers and thumb should be kept close and the palms 
slightly hollowed, as it is a mark of carelessness when tne 
hands are used with the fingers separated. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE ARM ACTION. 

With the water on a level with your shoulders, stretch both 
arms to the fullest extent to the front, making the hands as 
scoop-like as possible, fingers together, knuckles upwards 
(Fig. 23). You will find that an angle of forty-five degrees 
to the plane of the surface is the best position for the 
"blades" of these natural sculls, which is attained by 
twisting the wrists inwards until the two forefingers touch- 



22 



SWIMMING. 



ing conceal the thumbs, the backs of the hands inclining 
towards each other. When swept backwards in this 
the head and shoulders at their 
proper elevation, at the 



position, they sustain 




Fig. 23. 



same time taking as much 
grip of the water as pos- 
sible. Next separate the 
arms, pressing them back, 
still at their fullest extent 
(Fig. 24), until they are 
almost at a right angle to 
the body, when the elbows 
should gradually bend until 
they close on the sides, and 
the hands, with a twist in- 
wards, the thumb upper- 
most, be brought under 
each breast, which the root 



of the cushions of the thumbs will touch (Fig. 25). From this 







Fig. 24. 



Fig. 25. 



point thrust them again smartly forwards, turning their out- 
side edges gradually upwards, until, when they meet at their 



THE BREAST STROKE. 



23 



fullest extent to commence another stroke, they again rest 
at the old angle of forty-five degrees. 

To illustrate the motions by diagrams is a somewhat diffi- 
cult matter; but the accompanying sketch (Fig. 26), gives a 
good idea of the motion , , 

of the arm stroke, as 
seen from above. 

Were you to carry the 
hands as far back as the 
thighs, the head would 
dip, and the recovery 
would retard your pro- 
gress to almost the same 
extent as the stroke had 
advanced it. Never let 
the hafids pass behind the 
bend of ihe elbotv. Re- 
member to keep the 
stroke about an inch under water, 
steal forward again from the sides of the chest, when they 
rest almost on the surface. 




Fig. 26. 
except when the hands 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE BREAST STROKE. 

Having become master of these two movements, you will 
find their combination a very easy matter. With the water 
a little deeper than your breast, bring your hands together 
on the surface, thumbs and fingers closed, palms down- 
ward and shghtly hollowed, in front of your chest, the 
elbows touching the sides (Fig. 27). Give a vigorous push 
off the bottom with both feet (which must be kept together), 



24 



SWIMMING. 



at the same time shooting the hands forwards to their 
fullest extent (Fig. 28). Now sweep 
both arms slowly backwards until, 
completing their segment of a circle, 
the hands are opposite the points of 
the shoulders, sustaining the for- 
ward motion, and as the elbows begin 
to bend, and. the hands with the 
palms turning inwards are circling 
towards their taking-off positions, draw 
up the knees well under the body 
(Fig. 29). As the legs come into this 
position, your hands will have met 
under the chin in front of the breast, 
the palms being together, fingers touch- 
ing and pointed forwards. Without a 
pause, kick the legs as far apart as 
possible by straightening the knees. 
Fig. 27. as the feet, completing their action, 





Fig. 28. 



THE BREAST STROKE. 



25 



come together shoot out the 
hands (Fig. 30). When they 
reach their fullest stretch 
forwards (Fig. 31), turn the 
thumbs downwards again 
and complete the arm stroke 
by sweeping them backwards, 
keeping the legs rigid, and 
feet together as before, until 
the hands are approaching 
the chest. Then the legs are 
quickly bent and brought into 
position. Drop your legs, 




Fig. 29 
(from above). 




Fig. 31 (from above). 



26 SWIMMING. 



turn back and repeat. With a little practice you will find 
yourself able to take half a dozen arm and leg strokes in 
succession, and may call yourself a swimmer. Let Festina 
lente, however, be your motto, and keep well within your 
depth until you have acquired the confidence that practice 
will impart. 

The knowledge that you cannot touch bottom gives a 
new and pleasant sensation of power, not unmixed with a 
spice of trepidation as the bather's feet fail to find soundings ; 
but let these excursions over the safety boundary be as short 
at first as the cautious advances and retreats of a mouse from 
its hole, so that a stroke or two may bring you back into 
safety. Timidity is to be deprecated, but over-confidence 
has caused many a lamentable accident. 

Be careful always to bear in mind the following rules : 
(i) Keep the head thrown back so as to clear the mouth 
and chin. (2) Try to swim as low as possible. The lower 
and the nearer level the plane in which the body lies in 
the water, the less the waste of power and the greater the 
speed, so that all rising and faUing must be avoided, and 
nothing seen below the chin. Always keep the trunk 
steady and the spine hollowed, avoiding all squirming, 
wriggling, and bending, while the motions must be made 
steadily, avoiding all hurry. (3) Exhale your breath when 
the hands are extended in front supporting the head, and 
inhale as they are brought back — an action which expands 
the chest and gives you almost instinctively the signal for 
taking breath, which should be inhaled through the nose 
as much as possible. 



( 27 ) 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE SIDE STROKE. 

But the breast stroke, useful as it is, has its disadvantages 
in a long swim, by reason of the tension thrown on the 
muscles of the neck in keeping the head thrown so far back 
from its normal position; while the chest and shoulders, 
square to the front, offer considerable resistance, to the 
water. History has not handed down the name of the 
founder of the side stroke, but he deserves canonization 
equally with the man who ate the first oyster. Nature 
evidently intended man to swim on his side, as in this 
position the body moves more easily in the water, to which 
it offers less resistance, while the action of the arms is not 
so fatiguing, and the head is supported by the water at its 
proper angle to the trunk. 

There is no arbitrary rule as to which side you shall 
swim on, left or right being a pure matter of choice ; but 
while I think the left preferable, as it gives greater play to 
the right arm, the right is the usual side " put on " by the 
majority. The great thing is to be able to swim equally 
well on either, as this gives you the advantage in bath racing 
of seeing your opponents all the way, and enables you to 
keep your face to the breakers in a rough sea on whichever 
tack you lay your course. There are several modifications 
of this grand stroke which we will take in detail, beginning 
with one particularly adapted for long distance swimming. 
To simpHfy matters we will in the following directions sup- 
pose that you are swimming on the left side. This stroke 
is divided into three parts : first, the leg kick ; second, the 
upper or right arm stroke, which we will term the propeller ; 



28 



SWIMMING. 



and third, the under or left arm draw, which may be de- 
signated the sustainer. Unlike the frog action adopted in 

the breast stroke, the 



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leg kick is made in a 
different manner, as, 
while divided as far as 
possible in its per- 
formance, the legs take 
this position (Fig. 32), 
as seen from above, 
the upper one follow- 
ing more closely the 
motion it made in the 
breast stroke, by reason 
of the position of the 
body; but the under 
leg's action materially 
differs in this respect. 
Instead of the backs 
of the thighs and calves 
being in opposition, 
the under leg lies in 

' ■' , the water in the same 

Fig. 32 (from above). ... ^, 

^ ^ ^ position as the upper. 

Consequently the fore part of the thigh and shin act against 

the water after crossing backwards under the upper, with a 

bent knee, and when the leg is straightened to its fullest 

extent as the kick is made, the shin cuts the water forward 

again, to meet the back action of the upper leg. 

The second part of the stroke is made with the upper 

hand, the propeller, which is shot forward past and on a 

level with the face, in as straight a line as possible, the 

palm being turned inwards and the fingers pointing to the 



THE ^DE STROKE. 29 

front, which gives a little extra reach (Fig. 3.3). On attaining 
its "stretch" the palm is quickly turned downward, slightly 






v./ 



^^ 



Fig. 33. 



hollowed, fingers and thumb compressed, and, without being 
bent, the arm is swept in a right line downwards and back- 
wards at its full extent, until the hand almost touches 
the inside of the thigh (Fig. 33). Its force is now for all 
practical purposes expended, and the elbow must be bent^ 
but not so far as to show out of the water ; and, continuing 
the movement, "feather" — i.e. turn the palm of the hand 
towards the body, and steal it by the elbow's action close 
to the body, until the tips of the fingers are on a level with 
the right breast. From this point a fresh stroke is taken. 

Thirdly, the sustainer, or arm which is undermost, per- 
forms a somewhat different action in keeping the impetus 
sustained while the propeller and legs, their work done, are 
coming into position. It is struck out from the shoulder, 
the hand turned to the left until fully extended, when, like 
the right, the palm is turned downwards. The stroke is 
started with a straight elbow, but after the arm which is 
brought downwards has made a semi-circle, the elbow begins 
to bend outwards, and the hand, turning gradually sideways 
as it is drawn towards the left side, almost touches the 
bottom ribs. As the hand reaches the left breast it is 
again pointed to the front, the palm inwards for a fresh 
stroke. 



30 SWIMMING. 



The " feathering " of the hands is of importance, as you 
will be enabled to steal them forward into position without 
catching the water, and thereby reducing your speed by 
dragging. 

The position of the body is not quite flush on the side, 
but a little inclined on the chest, just sufficiently to allow 
the propeller to work clear of the trunk. The under side 
of the face should be immersed until the upper nostril 
is just clear ot the water, the breath being of course taken 
as the sustainer comes back, and expelled when the arms 
are shot forward. 

Now to combine these three movements. Make a chest 
stroke in the usual manner, and as the arms are brought 
back turn on your side, which will bring you into position. 
Draw up the legs ; the upper one crossing over the under, 
something like the positions of two of the legs seen on a 
Manx coin. Both knees should be well bent, the upper 
one as in the breast stroke, while the under leg is pressed 
back, the foot pointing in the same direction as the upper, 
and as near the surface as possible. Take a wide sweep 
with the legs, the upper one striking about an inch under 
water, and as you give the kick shoot both hands out past 
the head to their fullest extent. The inside of the tips of 
the fingers of the upper hand will almost touch the left wrist, 
from which they should be distant about two inches. 

The under arm, from your position, will reach furthest 
to the front. Count one after the legs have come together, 
to give yourself the full benefit of the impetus ; and now, 
as the feet are extended at their full stretch, toes pointing 
backwards, the stroke with the upper arm or propeller 
should be given with requisite force, leaving the sustainer 
still extended (Fig. 34). Directly the right hand completes 
its stroke at the thigh, and is stealing forward, the left 



THE SIDE STROKE. 



31 



takes up its work, and as it approaches the ribs (Fig. 35) 
the legs are quickly drawn up for a fresh stroke ; and if 




Fig. 34 (from above). 

the movements have been timed correctly the two hands 
will come into position again simultaneously, ready to be 
shot forward again. To attain a clockwork-like regularity 




Fig. 35 (from above). 

in combining the three component movements, the beginner 
should count one, two, three to himself, as first the legs, 
then the upper, and, thirdly, the undermost arm follow into 
play; and while giving each movement time he must not 
allow the force of it to be expended before supplementing 
with a fresh one — timing each so that arms and legs are. all 
in readiness simultaneously for the shoot. 

Try to swim as level as possible near the surface of the 
water, out of which no part of the body but the tip of the 



32 SWIMMING. 



uppermost shoulder should be visible. If you splash with 
your feet they are too high, if with your hands the legs are 
too low. 

When you have mastered this stroke you will seem to 
move forward continuously, and not in a succession of 
jerks. 

The appended diagrams show the position of the body as 
seen from above, at each point of this stroke, which it will 
readily be seen ensures as little resistance to the water as 
possible. After the kick the body rests an instant, plank- 
like, then, before the momentum has ceased, the right arm 
takes up its work, and then the left maintains the impetus, 
taking its place under the left breast at the moment the right 
hand and the legs come into position for another stroke. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE RACING STROKE. 

I THINK that to Harry Gurr, the clever little shoeblack, 
belongs the honour of popularizing the over-arm stroke, 
now used in competitions by almost every swimmer. 

In acquiring it you must remember that pace is the great 
desideratum, and, consequently, rapidity of action is requi- 
site. To gain this you must combine two movements in 
one, by striking with the propeller on whichever side you 
swim at \h^sa7ne time as the feet, the sustainer acting in the 
same manner as before. As the legs are brought up for the 
kick the propeller is lifted clear of the water, the arm being 
slightly bent in a graceful curve, and thrown forward in an 
arc to its fullest extent, the hand being held in the scoop- 
like position it maintains in the water (Fig. 36). Now kick^ 
and bring the propeller simultaneously downwards and back- 



THE RACING STROKE. 



33 



wards, with a bold and vigorous sweep, until it reaches the 




Fig. 36. 

thigh when the elbow is bent (Fig. 37), drawing the hand 
upwards to be thrown forward again. As this stroke is being 




Fig. 37- 

made, shoot out the sustainer quickly forwards, and while 
this arm is pulled in towards the body the legs and propeller 
are quickly brbugh into action for the next stroke. The 
learner will have to count one, two, only, in effecting this 
movement, as when the propeller and legs are striking, the 
sustainer is shot out, and vice versa. 

This stroke may be swum with the hands under water. 
Stretch out the left or under arm, and then, as its stroke 
is made, draw up the legs, at the same time extending the 
upper arm to its fullest extent. This arm and the legs strike 
together. As you kick, bring it rapidly down towards 
the thigh, at the same time shooting out the under arm 
again. As the upper one shoots out the under one is being 

D 



34 SWIMMING. 



drawn back, and vice versa. You count one, two. Remem- 
ber to keep the hands as scoop-like as possible when striking, 
and acquire the habit of stretching them out in a right line 
with the trunk, as any deviation or squirming of the body- 
takes you out of your course. By opening the eye which 
is under water, a view of the bottom of the bath, as it slides 
beneath you, will give you an idea of the pace you are 
travelling, and it is interesting to watch the underneath 
arm working through the water with the regularity of a 
piston. 

As rising and falling in the water are sure signs of a 
waste of power, with, of course, a corresponding loss of 
pace, particular attention should be paid to the direction 
in which the leg kick is given. The lower portion of the 
body should be so nicely balanced that the legs separate 
in a plane parallel to the surface of the water, which will 
ensure their delivery and recovery at an even depth, some 
four inches below the surface, and avoid all rocking and 
splashing, the Scylla and Charybdis of this stroke. 



CHAPTER XL 

SWIMMING ON THE BACK, 

This is useful in varying the position and resting the limbs, 
besides giving opportunity for a " breather " in a long swim. 
Place both hands on your hips, thumbs to the rear, and 
extend yourself on your back, which, with the back of the 
head, will be immersed, the face and chest being exposed. 
Now, drawing up the knees, toes turned outwards, work the 
legs ^s in the breast stroke (Fig. 38), keeping the knees 
under water. This stroke can be made a fast one for a 
short distance as follows, but it has the disadvantage of not 



SWIMMING ON THE BACK. 



35 



allowing you to see whether you are going straight or not, 
and the water will get into your nostrils. 

Proceed as before, but as you make the kick throw the 




Fig. 38 (from above). 

arms boldly and gracefully over your head, and as the 
feet stretched out come together sweep the hands like 
sculls through the water until they touch your thighs, the 
action of legs and arms being alternate. For a short dis- 
tance this stroke is very efficacious. 

Swimming on the back is a very easy and useful accom- 
plishment, as, combined with floating, it enables you to rest 
the arms and legs in a long swim, while relieving the muscles 
of the throat and neck, which are apt to become rigid 
after a spell of breast work. 

Swimming feet first on the hack with the hands ofily. 
This is a comfortably lazy style of progression, and handy 
if, dropping down with the stream, you want to have a 
look ahead. Turn on the back, stretch your legs out, heels 
touching, toes turned up, and while slightly bending at the 
hips use your arms as in the chest stroke, striking a little 
downwards at the same time, to keep the feet well up. 

The reverse movement in the direction of the head entails 
harder work. Lie back as before, straighten the arms, 
which are kept near the outside of the thighs, and by a 
succession of twists of the forearm and wrists describe 



36 



SWIMMING. 



small circles with the hands from back to front. As the 
hands return they should be feathered, i.e. the backs turned 
upwards, and then turned down again to execute the scoop- 
like movement to the front which completes the lower and 
forward half of the circle (Fig. 39). 




Fig. 39- 

Swimming feet first may also be effectively performed as 
follows: — Cease paddling; now turn your hands palms 
uppermost, and bring them through the water until they 
meet over your head (Fig. 40). The effect of this stroke 




Fig. 40. 

will be to sink your head and upper part of the body, 
leaving your feet, up to the ankles, sticking out of the 
water. Keep the arms nearly extended, turn the palms 
of the hands outwards, thumbs to the front, and the same 
scoop-like' action of forearm and wrist will drive you feet 
first with comical effect. Breathe out slightly through the 
nose to keep the water from filling your nostrils. 



HAND-OVER-HAND SWIMMING. 37 

Swimming backwards on the chest. This is a very pretty 
feat, and one in which, with a little practice, you can puzzle 
an ordinary breast-swimmer, who sees your face turned to- 
wards him and yet can't overhaul you. Turn" on the breast, 
raising the legs (which you must keep lifting alternately 
from the knee gently up and down, so as to " flip " the 
surface of the water with the insteps), to keep them from 
sinking. To make a start, grasp an armful of water, and as 
the arms reach their fullest extent in front of you, bring into 
play the wrist circle, driving the water from you with the 
palms turned back from left to right. Keep the arms and 
body stiff, and you will soon find yourself under weigh. 

These same little wrist circles are very useful ; not only 
do they wonderfully strengthen the arm, but in treading 
water, resting on the back, or "balancing," their slightest 
action serves to keep the body afloat. 



CHAPTER XII. 

HAND-OVER-HAND SWIMMING. 

In this stroke the right and left sides work alternately. 
Take your position as if for the breast stroke, and when the 
hands have completed their first movement, swing the right, 
as if in the racing side stroke, clear out of the water, with a 
circular sweep. Directly the hand at its fullest extent is 
immersed, turn it in as scoop-like a position as possible and 
pull it through the water towards you, at the same time 
turning slightly on the right side and giving a vicious kick 
with the right leg. After the hand in its backward sweep 
has reached the right thigh, bring it to the waist and steal 
it forward in anticipation of the next thrust, while swinging 
the left simultaneously forward for its corresponding stroke. 



38 



SWIMMING. 



You will find a slight rocking motion set up which facilitates 
the corresponding action of the left arm and leg. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



TRICKS. 

Swimming like a dog. This, although not a fast stroke, is 
useful as a rest and in going through weeds, each hand and 
foot being used alternately. The palms of the hands are 
turned down, the wrist being bent to its fullest extent when 
the arm is drawn in towards the breast, and straightened as 
thrust forward for a fresh stroke. The action of the legs 
is like walking with a very bent knee, the right hand and 
right leg working together, and vice versa. 

Treading water. Another 
capital dodge for taking a rest. 
While the hands are making the 
useful small circles, the legs, well 
bent at the knees, alternately 
make the customary kick, the 
swimmer squatting, as it were, in 
the water ; or the hands may be 
rested on the hips, or the arms 
folded (Fig. 41), while the legs 
strike downwards together, very 
little expenditure of power being 
necessary to keep afloat. 

Balancing. Fold your arms, 
throw your head well back, so 
that its weight rests on the water, and straighten your 
legs, toes pointing downwards. You will find yourself per- 
pendicularly suspended, with your mouth just above water, 




Fig. 41. 



TRICKS. 39 

rising and falling slightly with each breath. Now if you 
bring the head to its usual position, you will find that directly 
its weight falls on the column of the neck the face will be 
subnrierged. By stretching the arms behind the head and 
throwing it back again your feet will gradually rise until, in 
salt water, at least, you can see your toes sticking up. On a 
summer day it is very luxurious to bask thus in the sun, par- 
ticularly if just enough swell is on to rock you. 

If a friend is bathing with you, he can swim with one 
arm and push you along, head first, by the other. 

The double plank. Floating himself, and placing the soles 
of his feet against yours, your friend can impel you forwards 
by the circular motion of his hands. Should you wish to 
go faster, embrace his neck with your feet, and you can 
both travel, feet or head first, by the aid of the hand circles 
alone at a fairly respectable pace (Fig. 42), 




Fig, 42. 

To see who is doing most work, float sole to sole again, 
and let each, propelling forwards, endeavour to drive his 
opponent back (Fig. 43). This is splendid exercise for the 
muscles of the forearm. 

Leap-frog. While your partner treads water, place your 
hands on his shoulders and push him down until your feet 



40 



SWIMMING. 



can take the place of your hands. Then with a vigorous 
shove send him towards the bottom, at the same time plung- 




Fig- 43. 

ing yourself as far out of the water as you can. When your 
turn comes to be sent under, pinch your nostrils. Any 
number of swimmers can play this game. 

The forward somersault When treading water, press 
the hands as far backwards as they will go, draw up the 
knees, and, bending forward, turn head downwards, making 
the hand circles to the outside from left to right. The feet 




Fig. 44 



will rapidly rise, and as they swing over the head will shoot 
out of the water again (Fig. 44). 



TRICKS. 41 



The backward someisatdt This is more easy of accom- 
plishment than the other. Floating on the back, stretch 
both arms out at a right angle, making the circles the reverse 
way while bending the knees. You will roll backwards as on 
a pivot, the feet on reaching the turning-point giving you a 
quick send over, which brings you back to the first position. 

When treading water, you can, by sudden, vigorous, and 
quick alternate kicks, combined with a rapid circular down- 
ward motion of the hands, raise yourself clean out of the 
water as high as your waist, and sustain yourself in that 
position for a second or two, just long enough to catch at 
any object which was out of your reach when swimming. 
Time yourself to make the fling on the crest of a wave, and 
you will be surprised to find how high you can go. 

The washing-ttib. Cross your legs like a tailor, and 
"bunch" yourself up as compactly as possible; a slight wrist 
action will keep you up. 
Now if with the right 
arm you grasp the water, 
pulling it towards yoUj 
while with the left you 
make the breast stroke 
(Fig. 45), you will find ^'' 

yourself spinning round Y\g. 45. 

like a teetotum. 

Swimming under water. The ordinary breast stroke is 
the best, the hands striking obliquely as the swimmer wishes 
to ascend or descend, the head, of course, being kept in its 
natural position. , Should the water be too muddy for you 
to^ see your way, stretch your hands out in front, palms 
downwards, swimming with your legs alone, or you may 
be brought sharply up by butting some obstacle with your 
head, which will feel sore for several days afterwards. 




42 



SWIMMING. 



The cutter. While floating on the back, bring the hands 
to the outside of the thigh, making the wrist circle from 
inside to out; raise either leg out of the water by first 
bending the knee, and gradually elevate it until it is hoisted 




Fig. 46. 

like a mast at a right angle to the body. The other leg 

must be kept rigid (Fig. 46). 

The schooner. When you have become proficient at 

stepping one mast, you 
may improve on it by 
carrying more " sail " in 
the shape of two, by 
raising both legs simul- 
taneously. This is a 
difficult feat, the two 
"spars" having a ten- 
dency to sink your stern, 
and the hand-circles must 
be pressed downwards 




Fig. 47. 



more forcibly. By reversing the circles, and bendmg over 
the legs, you can turn over backwards (Fig. 47). 



( 43 ) 
CHAPTER XIV. 

PLUNGING AND DIVING. 

To walk into the water and " duck " is rather an ignominious 
proceeding, only to be excused in the novice or the lady 
bather we see at our watering-places bobbing up and down 
at the end of a rope fastened to the bathing-machine. The 
swimmer should not rest content until he is able to plunge 
in like a workman ; but first, a word of caution ! Never 
attempt to dive unless you know that the water is deep 
enough for the purpose. 

Many serious accidents have occurred from this mistake, 
notably when bathing at sea. An incautious plunge from the 
ship's side into the sail bath extemporized overboard to 
ward off any danger from sharks has resulted fatally to the 
rash swimmer, and at all times danger attends rash plunging. 

It is, nevertheless, astonishing into what shallow water 
an expert can fearlessly dive from a height, his arms and 
head emerging almost before the feet have disappeared 
beneath the surface. A stalwart friend of the writer's, 
weighing some seventeen stone, especially delighted in diving 
off the gallery at Brill's Baths, Brighton, whenever he had 
the opportunity; and at the same watering-place I have 
seen Professor Worthington dive from a flag-staff into six 
feet of water at the head of the Old Pier and take no harm ; 
but the bather needs be very quick of hand and eye, and 
many accidents attest the fact of the game not being worth 
the candle. 

The modes of entering shallow and deep water differ 
materially. In shallow plunging your object is to keep as 
near the surface and gain as much " way " from the jump 



44 



SWIMMING, 



as possible, a good send off being of great importance. 
To gain confidence, the learner should 
make his first essay from as near the sur- 
face of the water as possible, gradually 
increasing the height of his plunging 
station. 

We will suppose the beginner to be 
standing on the edge a few inches above 
the water's level (Fig. 48), to commence 
with. The feet should be placed together 
on the verge of the bank or board, so that 
the toes may take a grip which will give 
the body a purchase; tuck in) your 
stomach and lean a little forward, with 
the arms hanging straight down a little in 
advance of the hips. 

Now slightly bend both knees, at 
the same time slightly swinging the 
arms to the rear to get an impetus. 
Launch the body, head first, forwards 
and downwards at an oblique angle 
by quickly stiffening the knees, 
simultaneously shooting forward the hands to their fullest 
extent over the head, palms downwards. As the body leaves 
its pedestal and is almost in a horizontal line with the water 
the toes give the final impetus (Fig. 49), their spring will tend 
to throw the legs (which should be kept rigid, avoiding all 
bending of the knee) upwards, the toes pointing to the rear. 
As soon as you have gained a little confidence you should 
gradually increase the height of your plunge, and when you 
are able to accomplish it cleanly, you will enter the water 
thus (Fig. 50). Remember that the more boldly you hurl 
yourself into the water the better chance you have af 




Fig. 48. 



PLUNGING AND DIVING. 



45 



success. I have seen bathers extend the arms over their 
heads and fall forwards, a modus operandi which generally 




Fig. 49. 

entails a smart tingling of the chest and stomach, as the 
body is almost certain to drop flat on the surface. 

A very neat plunge, which requires practice and a little 




Fig. 50- 

pluck, is made by standing erect on the brink edge or 
board and instead of springing from the board allowing the 
body, kept rigid, to fall forwards, until it attains the proper 



46 



SWIMMING. 



angle (Fig. 51). Here the arms are shot out and the knees 
and toes give the finishing shoot, which, rightly timed, 




Fig. 51- 

arrests the body in its downward progress (Fig. 52), an 
launches it plank-like at a proper angle into the water. 
When under the surface, you will find the extended hands 




Fig. 52. 

act as a rudder ; the further the palms are turned back, the 
sharper the curve taken before re-emerging. 

Shut your eyes on plunging ; you may open them under 
the water ; and remember to keep your back hollowed, and 
the neck and body stiff. 

The deep plunge, which requires the body to descend 
at a sharper angle, must be made thus : bend your knees 



PLUNGING AND DIVING. 



47 



and back until your face almost touches your toes, stretch- 
ing both arras over your head with the thumbs locked 
together and fingers pointed. You unroll, a's it were, with- 
out a jump forwards, the legs straightening with a jerk as 
the head and shoulders approach the water. Keep your 
hands straight until you want to come up again, when the 
palms must be turned back towards the surface, and a kick 
or two will accelerate your upward progress. The higher 
the pedestal from which yoii plunge, the fiirther out you 
must jump so as to retain the same angle of entry. 

In plunging to a depth, it is better to use arms and legs in 
swimming upwards if the bottom has not been reached, as 
without an accelerating shoot from the bottom^ the body will 
not of itself return, so swiftly to the surface as anticipated. 




Fig. 53. 



The running plunge. Retire some twenty yards, and then, 
putting on all steam, come best pace to the bank, and on 
reaching the edge launch yourself into the air thus (Fig. 53), 



48 SWIMMING. 



throwing the arms well forward.i /As your legs leave the 
bank, the force of the jump will tend to throw them up 
and deflect the fore part of the body, but keep them as 
straight as possible and don't let them bend at the knee. 
In this way you can clear a pretty high rail with a little 
practice. 

In diving from a height, you will at first experience an 
unpleasant sensation of leaving your stomach behind, but 
this soon passes away. The great feature is to hit the happy 
knack of not putting on too much pace on leaving the 
starting-point, while, at the same time, avoiding the other 
extreme of simply lobbing in. In the one instance you are 
apt to overbalance and come on your back, while in the 
other you fall all of a heap. Stiffen your, neck, chin on 
chest, stretch your hands over the head, and as the body 
leaves the pedestal shoot out at an angle of forty- 
five degrees. The drop will lessen this, and you 
will enter the water almost at a right angle. 

Diving feet fi7'st. This is a very effective and safe 
method of entering the water from a height, and 
one brought to perfection by some of the islanders 
of the Pacific, who can drop, with perfect ease and 
safety, a hundred feet or more. The object of the 
diver is to drop as " plumb " as possible, and for 
this purpose you must leave your pedestal with only 
just sufficient spring to clear the edge. Stand as 
erect as possible, head back, toes pointed, knees 
stiffened, and arms rigid by the sides, as close to 
the trunk as possible, and launch yourself with a 
slight action of the toes, and hold your breath 

Fig <4 ^^'^' ^'^^• 
^\ ^^' If these directions are properly carried out, you 

will cleave the water as true as a plummet. On no account 




PLUNGING AND DIVING. 



49 



give way to the sensation which, when you find yourself 

cutting the air, would prompt you to open the legs and 

spread out the arms, and 

by all means ascertain 

that the water is deep 

enough, or you may, as 

the writer did, break a 

great toe on the bottom. 

When you find yourself 

at a sufficient depth, 

spread out the arms and 

legs (Fig. 55); this action 

will at once stop your 

downward way, and a 

few kicks will speed 

you to the surface. If 

you have mastered this 

plunge, you can modify 

it by stretching the arms 

perpendicularly over the 




Fig. 55- 



head, which will accelerate and emphasize your downward 
drop. 

Plunging feet first. Stand as if for an ordinary plunge 
(Fig. 48), and then, well bending the knees, jump as far 
outwards as you can, at the same time throwing the body 
back with the arms extended over the head, palms upwards, 
while straightening the legs (Fig. 56). Don't be dis- 
couraged by coming flat on your back a few times, but 
persevere until you can make a perfect plunge and feel 
yourself swing through the water feet first (Fig. 57). 
This, though a difficult feat, is worth any amount of 
practice to attain, as very few amateurs can accomplish it 
to perfection. I think I may say, without flattery, that 



50 



SWIMMING. 



Mr. Horace Davenport is facile princeps at this eccentric 
plunge. 

The Belgian jump. This is a sensational and but little 




Fig. 56. 

practised way of entering the water. Don't try it, however, 
if any friends are standing by, as you will probably drench 




Fig. 57. 

them through. Standing on the diving-board, swing your 
arms and jump boldly out, immediately crossing the legs 
as closely as possible and embracing them with the arms 



BATH SWIMMING. 



51 



like a tailor (Fig. 58). You will come down with a regular 

*'bang" on the water, 

which will splash to a 

great height. Mind and 

tuck your drawers up 

tightly before taking the 

leap, and jump squarely so 

as not to land on the back^ 

but in a sitting posture. 

The water will not sting 

you. I have tried it from 

the top gallery of the old 

Charing Cross floating 

bath, now, alas ! a thing of 

the past. 




Fig. 58. 



CHAPTER XV. 



BATH SWIMMING. 

Dwellers in big cities, far from the seaboard, who possibly 
only get one chance in the course of the year of trying 
conclusions with Father Ocean, have to fall back on the 
public swimming baths or park ponds, which are not always 
pleasant for bathing. Thanks to a cheery spirit which 
inculcates the doctrine of making the best of circum- 
stances, bath swimming has become invested with a charm 
which grows on the bather, who finds himself, night after 
night, cleaving the pellucid wave supplied for the occasion 
by one of the big London water companies. 

Bath swimming naturally gave rise to bath racing, and 
in this branch of sport art has again stepped in to assist 
nature. In so necessarily limited a space the swimmer 



52 SWIMMING. 



finds himself constrained to interrupt his stroke as he 
reaches each end of the bath, to turn before starting on a 
fresh lap. Now, this very necessity of turning has been 
worked up into a most important factor, as, instead of check- 
ing the progress of the swimmer, it gives him, properly 
applied, so much assistance, that one hundred yards in five 
lengths of a bath, with four turns thrown in, can be swum in 
quicker time than one hundred yards dead level in open 
water. 

To make the turn neatly requires a little practice, but 
the time expended will well repay the trouble. Start a few 
yards away from the side or end, and then, on your side, 
swim for the edge, remembering that the faster you come at 
it the more vigorously you will be able to kick off again. On 
no account let a spent stroke carry you to the edge, but dash 
at it in full swing. Mind this, and if only a few inches off give 
an extra kick. Coming with an impetus against the end of 
the bath, seize the edge with the propeller, or the uppermost 
arm, while planting the sustainer or lower hand against the 
side on a level with the hip (Fig. 59). Now pull your- 
self up as quickly as possible against the wall of the bath, 
twist the body to the left (if swimming on the left side), 
or the right if on the right side, your head looking over the 
leading shoulder. Double up, bend both knees, and bring 
both feet with the impetus with which you arrive, against 
the side of the bath, and, twisting round to the outside, 
duck your head and push with all your force as you stiffen 
the legs, at the same time letting go with both hands, 
which must be shot out in front as you give the shove, as 
in the plunge. Remember that the faster you come at the 
side the quicker you slew round like a weasel, and the more 
firmly the feet will be planted against the side of the bath 
for a vigorous shove. 



BATH SWIMMING. 



S3 



The best way to learn to turn is to watch a proficient 
once or twice, and then try to do hkewise ; if a rope is 
reeved round the bath, it is much better to seize this instead 




Fig. 59- 

of the edge, as the " brim," being gen erany more distance out 
of water, hfts you unnecessarily high. You will find it capital 
practice to plunge across the bath, and then, catching the 
rope, squirm round and shove off for the back plunge ; but 
unless you come at the turn with some way on, you will find 
that you've no send-off for the return journey. 

Having mastered the turn, you will instinctively find your- 
self indulging in friendly spins against other bathers — capital 
practice, as it gives you confidence and teaches the knack 
of managing the breathing. By this time you will have dis- 
covered your fastest side, as cases in which a swimmer is 
equally good on both are extremely rare. 



54 SWIMMING. 



As bath distances are generally measured by so many 
even lengths, you will find it an advantage to start on the 
opposite side to that on which you swim, that is, with your 
face to the edge of the bath in the first lap, as this will give 
you a full view of your antagonist when finishing the last 
length, an advantage to a man who is putting on all he 
knows in a close finish. 

When swimming the overhand stroke, a little practice will 
teach you to count the number of strokes, with the push off, 
requisite to complete the length, and enable you so to time 
the turn as to seize the edge of the bath with the upper 
hand as it comes swinging mechanically forward. 

Be careful about larking in a swimming bath, as though 
a strip of cocoanut matting should run round the edges and 
cover the diving boards, this precaution is sometimes 
neglected, and when the stone or asphalte gets thoroughly 
wet the naked foot will slip on the treacherous surface like 
a skate on ice, and it is no joke to come down with no further 
protection than a pair of bathing-drawers. 

The porpoise stroke. To do this properly you don't want 
the water more than five feet deep, as, if it has a greater 
depth, you have to bring the hands into play. Sit on the 
edge of the shallow end of the bath, and, taking a few rapid 
inhalations to clear the lungs, draw a full breath. Place the 
soles of the feet against the side of the bath and, doubling 
up, dive in. As the palms of the hands touch the bottom, 
bring the feet up to them outside each hand, and from a 
bent knee jump forward and upwards at an angle of forty- 
five degrees, at the same time letting the arms drop stiffly 
down each thigh and humping the back. This will send 
you a foot out of the water, first the head and then the 
whole body following the curve. As you swiftly approach 
the bottom, again stretch out the arms, and repeat the 



BATH SWIMMING. 55 

galloping process until you reach the end or have to stop 
for want of breath. 

You will travel at a great pace in a succession of jumps, 
which to the looker-on will give a ludicrous idea of a string 
of porpoises. Mind, as the head emerges, to shut your 
eyes, or you may strike them against the surface and see 
sparks. 

The somersault off the board is comparatively easy, 
the backward one being most quickly acquired. Stand 
on the plunge-board with your back to the water, arms 
by the sides, and then, jumping once or twice on the 
toes to get an impetus, jump upwards, outwards, and back- 
wards, at the same time keeping the legs close together and 
throwing them over the head. A Kttle practice will enable 
you to time the tuTn_, which should not be given with a jerk. 
The great thing is to obtain plenty of spring, and you will 
be able to make the somersault off a dead surface. 

The forward somersault is most effective with a run, 
though it can be done standing with a violent jerk 
forwards. 

Retire several paces so as to get a good impetus, mind 
you run on cocoa-matting, and, accelerating your pace, jump 
with both feet together on to the spring-board, letting the 
return spring launch you forward at an angle of forty-five 
degrees. As you leave the board, the hands, which, with 
fists clenched, have been kept with the elbows bent, should 
be straightened down with a jerk, the head at the same 
moment being tucked in, and, the body doubling up, will 
turn in the air ; and, should the somersault be a clean one, 
you will land feet first in the bath. 

Run as before, and make the plunge at the deep end. 
Directly you enter the water, curve your bands and arms 
downwards and inwards, at the same time tucking in your 



56 



SWIMMING. 



head. This will cause you to roll under so quickly that you 
will come shooting back to the surface almost before your 
feet have disappeared. 

Don't try to stop yourself by bringing the feet forward 
and arresting your way with the hands, as you will strain 
the abdominal muscles with the sudden jerk against the 
pressure of the water. 

Timber topping. Should a stout rail run alongside the 
bath, you can pop over it very easily, finishing with a neat 
dive. Place both hands on the rail opposite the shoulders ; 
then, bending down, spring once or twice on your toes, 
and, giving the final spring, draw your body head-first 
through the arms, keeping the legs together. As your 




Fig. 60. 
let go, and shooting both hands 



knees clear the rail, 

forward, you will dive neatly into the bath (Fig. 60). 
There are some very effective somersaults and dives to 



CAUTIONS. 57 



be taken from a trapeze ; but, as people will get in the way 
at the wrong moment, the use of the trapeze has unfor- 
tunately been tabooed at most baths. 



CHAPTER X\r 

CAUTIONS. 

I MUST confess to a sense of distrust of fresh water since I cut 
my foot with a broken glass bottle at Henley ; but then, on 
the other hand, a friend gashed his forehead with a similar 
abomination when plunging at Margate. Once while 
camping out up the Thames one of our party was spiked 
right through the instep by a neglected porcupine quill 
float, which transfixed his naked foot as he ran for a 
header; so that the bather in strange waters has always need 
of caution. We read some time ago of a careless bather 
being terribly lacerated by a broken tin pot ; and in the 
most seductive reaches *' snags " and sawyers lurk unseen, 
while loose stakes project from the banks. 

Beware of weeds ; and should you incontinently find 
yourself going through a bed, cease kicking, and, keeping 
the knees straight, gently flip the surface with one instep 
after the other, to keep the legs on the surface, at the same 
time adopting the " dog stroke " for the hands. In this 
style, the current will take you through the cold slimy 
"tails" of lily and weed; but on no account attempt to 
continue swimming, as the action of drawing up the arms 
and legs is liable to enwrap the clinging weeds round them, 
and the more you struggle the tighter they entwine. Keep 
a sharp look-out for weeds therefore ; but, if in, the above 
modus operandi will pull you through. The author has 



58 SWIMMING. 



" crept " over furlongs of weed-beds in the river Lea at 
Hertford when a boy. 

Beware of cold springs in unknown waters, as the sudden 
deadly chill frequendy induces cramp, that bugbear of 
the bather. To an adept, a sudden seizure causes little 
perturbation, as he can shift with any position, and, while 
floating or treading water, rub and stretch the tormented 
limb. It is always best to turn on the back, and if an arm 
be attacked, raise it out of water, while rubbing with the 
other hand and closing and opening the fist. If the leg, 
and particularly the back of the thigh, be seized, turn up the 
toes as far as possible to stretch the leaders ; apply friction, 
and try to kick out of the water until the stiffened muscles 
relax. Floating " a la washing tub " will bring your legs 
well within reach, and you can vary the treatment by 
swimming with arms or legs only. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

SEA-BATHING. 

Whether sparkling placidly in the summer sun, with hardly 
a ripple lazily fringing the beach, or stirred into *' soap- 
suds " by the wind, till the white horses come careering 
swiftly towards the shore, the sea is the swimmer's paradise, 
and few days are, during the season, too rough to keep him 
from venturing forth. Before taking to the water, however, 
the bather should make himself acquainted with the set of 
the tide, which, at some spots on our coasts, runs at a pace 
against which the fastest swimmer, would struggle in vain, 
so that he may find himself going out to sea, with the 
prospect of having to " wait for the turn of the tide " for 



SEA-BATHING. 59 



his return. It is also well to learn from the intelligent 
native the lay of rocks, shoals, and cross-currents, so as to 
be master of the situation before making a start. 

The pleasantest tide to catch in sea-bathing is that which 
has been flowing, i.e. coming in, over the sands that have 
been exposed to the sun, as then the temperature up to a 
certain distance is comfortably warm. Should a cold wind 
have been blowing, the belt of water nearest the shore will, 
on the contrary, be much more chilly than the deep beyond. 
Always endeavour to bathe at high tide if possible, as at 
some places, such as Weymouth, Hayling Island, and Scar- 
borough, the water shoals so gradually that the bather has 
to wade out a long distance from the shore. It is best to strike 
your course in a diagonal line across and against the tide, 
as the return journey with it is less trouble ; or else, getting 
out forty yards or so from the shore, swim along the coast, 
always starting against the tide or current. 

When the sea is rough, it is easy to enter, as the bather 
will find. the breakers regularly decrease and increase in 
volume from every seventh wave^ and advantage can be taken 
of the lulls. Watching your opportunity to enter the water, 
dive through the first two or three curling waves, as the 
breakers are always worse in shore, and about one hundred 
yards out it is much plainer sailing. In a rough sea, swim 
with your face to the runners, which an ability to use either 
side will enable you to do ; by facing them, you can keep 
your head clear, manage the breath better, and stand less 
chance of getting a mouthful or two of sea-water. In 
coming out, you should depend on a friend for the signal 
when to make the final rush to land, so as to escape a 
buffeting from the ground-swell or under-tow. 

One subtle source of danger on some coasts lies in the 
sunken reefs of rocks, full of deep pools, into which the 



6o SWIMMING. 



incautious bather, standing up to his knees at one moment, 
suddenly disappears " over head " the next. The beginner 
cannot be too careful in seeking previous information as to 
the bottom at all strange spots. I retain a sorrowful re- 
membrance of the sad fate of a fine young fellow at Redcar, 
who, with two friends, succeeded to the machines we had just 
vacated. The sand suddenly shelved to a rock pool, and 
before his companions, neither of whom could swim, could 
grasp his outstretched hand, the current swept him into its 
depths only a few yards from shore, and with fatal result. 
We met him coming down full of fun ; half an hour later a 
mournful procession brought his body back to the hotel. 
Had either of his friends possessed a knowledge of swimming, 
the catastrophe would have been averted. 

Rocks in deep water are also sources of danger, a friend 
of mine getting wedged in a crevice while diving at Jersey, 
and having to be hauled out by the legs by two swimmers, 
who, fortunately, were enabled to restore him, more 
frightened than hurt. 

Cross-currents form unexpected traps into which good 
swimmers fall, and an eye should be kept on some land- 
mark on the beach, to note in which direction you are 
actually progressing. An expert, while enjoying a com- 
fortable float off Weymouth, was so rapidly and uncon- 
sciously carried out to sea, that the return journey across 
wind and tide was accomplished with difficulty, and he was 
fairly exhausted when his feet at length touched the longed- 
for " bottom." 

On some coasts there lurks an obnoxious, though rather 
handsome, little fish, known as the weaver. The thumbs 
and hands of the fisherfolk are frequently poisoned by this 
little Borgia of the sea, whose spines are insidious and 
perch-like. At first the sting is hardly felt, but, especially 



SEA-BATHING, 6i 



if in the sole of the foot, a swelling frequently spreads and 
causes a pricking pain. I have found that the best treat- 
ment is to cut the outer skin and, opening the swelling with 
a lancet or penknife, thoroughly wash the blister in the sea 
or strong salt and water, taking care that no sand gets 
under the skin. 

Should a boat be chartered on a fine day, swim with the 
tide, letting your pilot keep handy, and if you are not an 
adept at getting back again, see that he has some steps 
affixed to the stern. In getting into a boat always go to lee- 
ward, as the set of the tide will otherwise draw your legs under 
and impede your efforts. To enter a boat, swim briskly up, 
catch the gunwale with both hands, and, giving a vigorous 
kick downwards with the legs, raise yourself. As the arms 
straighten, slew round, and^ half sitting on the edge, put 
your hand on the seat or bottom and slip backwards. You 
will save barking or knocking your knees this way. The 
stern is. the best place to start from, but you must be careful 
of the irons on which the rudder is fixed. 

When using a bathing machine, see that your doors are 
fastened, and be particular to attend to the signal of the boy 
on the horse, or you may find yourself flung violently through 
the opening doors as the beast begins to strain at his collar. 
It is a very useful wrinkle after going into the sea to rinse 
the head and face with/;'<?j/^ water. 

In some places, after a ground-swell, the water in-shore 
will abound with jelly-fish, washed in from the open sea. A 
very unpleasant sensation follows contact with one of these 
medusae, the skin smarting as if stung by nettles for hours 
afterwards. The juice of a lemon rubbed on the spot will 
quickly allay all the irritation. 



62 ' SWIMMING. 



APPENDIX. 



DIRECTIONS ISSUED BY THE ROYAL HUMANE 
SOCIETY FOR RESTORING THE APPARENTLY 
DEAD. 

Send for medical assistance, blankets, and dry clothing, but 
proceed to treat the patient instantly. 

The points to be aimed at are — first, and immediately^ the 
restoration of breathing; and secondly, after breathing is 
restored, the promotion of warmth and circulation. 

The efforts to restore life must be persevered in until the 
arrival of medical assistance, or until the pulse and breathing 
have ceased for an hour. 

Rule I. To ADJUST THE Patient's Position. — Place the 
patient on his back on a flat surface, inclined a little from 
the feet upwards ; raise and support the head and shoulders 
on a small firm cushion or folded article of dress placed 
under the shoulder-blades. Remove all tight clothing from 
about the neck and chest. 

Rule 2. To MAINTAIN A FREE ENTRANCE OF AlR INTO 

THE Windpipe. — Cleanse the mouth and nostrils ; open the 
mouth j draw forward the patient's tongue, and keep it 
forward : an elastic band over the tongue and under the 
chin will answer this purpose. 



APPENDIX. 63 



Rule 3. To IMITATE THE MOVEMENTS OF BREATHING. — 

First, Induce inspiration. Place yourself at the head of the 
patient, grasp his arms (at the elbow joints), raise them 
upwards by the sides of his head, stretch them steadily but 
gently upwards, for two seconds. By this means fresh air is 
drawn into the lungs by raising the ribs. 

Secondly, Induce expiration. Immediately turn down the 
patient's arms, and press the elbows firmly but gently down- 
wards against the sides of the chest, for two seconds. By 
this means foul air is expelled from the lungs by depressing 
the ribs. 

Thirdly, Continue these movements. Repeat these measures 
alternately, deliberately, and perseveringly, fifteen times in 
a minute, until a spontaneous effort to respire be perceived. 
By these means an exchange of air is produced in the lungs 
similar to that effected by natural respiration. 

When a spontaneous effort to respire is perceived, cease 
to imitate the movements of breathing, and proceed to 
induce circulation and warmth (as below). 

Rule 4. To EXCITE Respiration. — During the employ- 
ment of the above method, excite the nostrils with snufif or 
smelling salts, or tickle the throat with a feather. Rub the 
chest and face briskly, and dash cold and hot water alter- 
nately on them. Friction of the limbs and body with dry 
fl-annel or cloths should be had recourse to. When there is 
proof of returning respiration, the individual may be placed 
in a warm bath, the movements of the arms above described 
being continued until respiration is fully restored. Raise 
the body in twenty seconds to a sitting position, dash cold 
water against the chest and face, and pass ammonia under 
the nose. Should a galvanic apparatus be at hand, apply 
the sponges to the region of the diaphragm and the heart. 



64 SWIMMING. 



TREATMENT AFTER NATURAL BREATHING HAS BEEN 
RESTORED. 

To INDUCE Circulation and Warmth. — Wrap the patient 
in dry blankets, and rub the limbs upwards energetically. 
Promote the warmth of the body by hot flannels, bottles or 
bladders of hot w^ater, heated bricks, to the pit of the stomach, 
the armpits, and to the soles of the feet. 

On the restoration of life, when the power of swallowing 
has returned, a teaspoonful of warm water, small quantities 
of wine, warm brandy and water, or coffee should be given. 
The patient should be kept in bed, and a disposition to sleep 
encouraged. During reaction, large mustard plasters to the 
chest and below the shoulders will greatly relieve the dis- 
tressed breathing. 

Note. — In all cases of prolonged immersion in cold water 
when the breathing continues, a warm bath should be em- 
ployed to restore the temperature. 



I IBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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